Seasoned & New Shotgun Q&A Thread.

[sm]

We have a continuous cycle of new folks coming to THR.
This is normal and just the way Internet Forums tend to be.

We encourage new folks to use the Search Function, truth is, this vB search function sometimes ( more often at times) has a bad case of brain farts* and just does not remember a thing.
[*highly technical term , applicable to anything.]

Here is what I propose:
This is the Shotgun Sub Forum, so why don't we show up the other Sub-Forums here at THR and do a "you toss 'em out and we'll smoke 'em " Q&A thread? :)

Seasoned Shooters, post a Q and then the A. One right after another.
Instead of multiple replies, just one listing.

New Folks, we intend to choose often asked questions, give answers and move on.
This should answer some questions, and provide some search features or other resources for.




Q.. Good General Purpose book on Shotguns?
A.. Shotgunning: The Art & Science - Bob Brister


Q. My child is 4 years old and sees me and others shooting shotguns, what can I do for my child so they can be a part of shotgunning?
A. Used one piece stock, such as off an old Ruger 10/22, Marlin 60 and use PVC to make a 'barrel'. fit to child, go over 4 Rules of Safety, and let them replicate correct basics of stance, foot positions, mounting gun to face...everything with you and yours.

[sm]

Q. Will my 20 gauge semi-auto I use for Skeet, and small game/upland hunting work for HD just as it is?
A. Yes. One of the best kept secrets is a semi-auto 20 gauge.

Q. Best gauge to start a new person /introduce to shotguns?
A. 28 gauge.

Q. What do the Defensive Shooters Recommend ?
A. Use the search function and do a search for "Awerbuck" , "Randy Cain", and also THR members "Gordon", "Bix", "Lee Lapin" , "flip180", "Lawyerman"
for starters.
[holler out if vB brain farts the search ]

[Striker]

Q: Which is better, 870 0r Mossberg?
A: Yes.

Sorry Steve, couldn't resist:D

[foghornl]

Q: My new Mossberg500/Maverick88 only holds 2 shells in the magazine, but I was told it holds 5 (or 8). Is there something wrong with my Mossberg?

A: To comply with U.S. migratory bird laws, all models are
shipped with a wooden dowel inserted in the magazine tube which limits
magazine capacity to two (2) shells.
To remove the dowel, first remove the barrel. Point the shotgun downward
and shake it back and forth lightly until the dowel falls out.
To change back to a 2-shot magazine capacity insert the dowel through the
center of the magazine spring so that it is positioned inside the coils of the
spring.

[Bix]

Q: What's the difference between a Remington 870 Express and a Remington 870 Police?

A: See attached:

[Dave McCracken]

Q:What choke should I use for taking Pheasants and smaller birds at 20 to 40 yards?

A: There's no one choke that will be optimum at both those ranges. At 20 yards with decent ammo an IC choke would be close to perfect, but that pattern will be kinda sparse WOD at 40 yards. OTOH, a Full choke will fetch them at 40 but at 20 will not have enough spread.

If limited to one choke, I'd go with LM or Mod and select ammo judiciously.

[Smitty in CT]

Q: Is my $200 (Brand X) over and under the same as a Perazzi, they're both over unders, they both have metal barrels and they both have wood stocks...so, I can shoot a millions of rounds through it with no problems...right??

A: You get what you pay for....... sometimes a little more, but not usually.

[sm]

Q. My Remington Shotgun came with a key for the Safety. How do I change it out ?

A. Giving the "J Safety" the boot.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=3367515#post3367515

[TrapperReady]

Q. What's the best general-purpose shell for clay target shooting?

A. Modern components make most shells pretty darned good. Unless you're talking about serious competition (in which case you probably have something you already like), I'd recommend 12ga 1oz loads at 1200 fps. Shot size can be either #8 or #7.5. I'm not devoted to any particular brand, although for reloads I don't think you can beat the Remington STS hulls.

Q. What's the best shell for doves?

A. My personal favorite hunting load for anything through ruffed-grouse size are Remington Nitro 1 1/8 oz 1235fps, using #7.5 shot. Hard shot and great patterns makes them not only deadly on clay targets, but also on birds. The bonus is that target loads are often less expensive (and use better components) than dedicated hunting loads.

Q. I'm going to be shooting sporting clays for the first time. What chokes should I use?

A. If you've got one, throw in a SKEET or CYLINDER. If not, then an IC would be a good second choice. However, if all you have is an old fixed-choke pump, don't worry. Just focus on the targets and forget about the equipment.

[sm]

Q. What are "Popcorn Loads" ?
A. Refers to replacing lead pellets in shot shells with popcorn kernels.

Note Popcorn Loads are still dangerous and are to be treated as one would any firearm loading. These are "less destructive" still these are "destructive"


Q. What are these Popcorn Loads good for ?
A. Pest control, as these kernels being less weight, and therefore less mass, and lose velocity faster and lose energy faster, are less prone to do damage if used to discourage pests in or around farm, ranch structures.
i.e. Pigeons in the barn, less apt to hurt the interior, or any equipment inside, often times the sound itself will run off these pigeons.
i.e.Critters getting into garden and shooting over them.
Not wanting to hit critters, or damage garden .

A. Teaching. Less felt recoil and allows new shooters to gain experience in handling shells, loading, and feeling and hearing the gun go off.
These bust balloons for instance, great for kids learning and having fun at the same time.

Safety Lessons in regard to water, such as Ricochets. Take a farm pond, and with a cardboard box with newspaper as "backstop", let kids, new shooters see how pellets can ricochet and travel as evidenced by holes in the newspaper.

One makes these popcorn loads, so a shotgun shell reloader is needed.

[TrapperReady]

Q. Shooting slugs at the range hurts. A lot. What should I do?

A. Chances are that you are using magnum loads (3" or 3.5") and/or shooting seated at a bench. For the first, unless there is a specific need (like getting ready to deal with Kodiak bears), you are probably better served using standard 2 3/4" shells.

For the second, shooting at a bench causes all sorts of bad things to happen. Most importantly, it locks your body in very firmly, assuring that your shoulder will absorb the vast majority of the recoil. Shooting from an off-hand (standing) position, or even a sitting (on the ground like you might when hunting), allows for your body to move and absorb the recoil in less focused fashion.

Besides, learning to shoot well from off-hand and sitting can work wonders to improve your skill as a hunter. If possible, work on bracing your support hand against a vertical surface (like you might with a tree).

[gp911]

Q: I just bought an H&R Topper at a gun show and I heard I can get all kinds of barrels for it. Is this true?

A: It may be, or not. The information below is taken from their website, so apply it accordingly to your gun. Turnaround time varies from a few weeks to a few months depending on how busy they are and availability of parts. They will also do other gunsmith work if you ask when you send in your order form, downloadable from their website: http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.aspx

One additional warning: This can become addictive. there are numerous "Handi-Holics" out there who start with one old Topper or NEF, and then they end up with several frames with a plethora of barrels including custom calibers that cost more than a new rifle, a scope for each barrel, and so on. It is similar to "Cruffler's disease" in that it initially is cheap, but leads to the hard stuff later on. :D

Barrel Accessory Program

Additional barrels may be added to firearms of our manufacture since 1987 only, with a serial number that begins with N or H. We do not install additional barrels on any other manufacturer’s firearms.
Additional barrels are available as additional barrels only. We will not exchange barrels for existing barrels on shotguns and rifles, as it will change the model.
Rifle frames may be fitted with additional rifle, shotgun, and muzzleloader barrels.
Shotgun frames may be fitted with additional shotgun and muzzleloader barrels only.
We do not sell additional barrels outright. All barrels must be factory fitted.
We do not sell barrel blanks or do custom calibers.
In order to obtain an additional barrel(s), the stock, forend and frame (receiver) must be sent to us so they may be properly hand-fitted to the barrel, to be sure they are correctly head-spaced and proof-tested.

gp911